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Design for the Doncaster race cup

Design
1854 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Gold or silver racing cups of elaborate form were given as prizes in the biggest horse races. Their designs became increasingly sculptural and naturalistic. They often depicted events in British history or episodes in historical novels that were linked to the locality of the racecourse.

This drawing is typical of the designs for silver that were produced in the 1850s. It was made by the sculptor Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905). The design illustrates a scene from Sir Walter Scott’s novel Ivanhoe (1819), set in the Yorkshire forest of Jervaulx Abbey (not that far from the Doncaster racecourse). The episode shows the Prior of Jervaulx restraining a Norman knight from striking the impertinent Saxons.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDesign for the Doncaster race cup (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Ink wash
Brief description
Design for the Doncaster race cup
Physical description
Ink wash drawing on paper
Dimensions
  • Height: 71.7cm
  • Width: 60cm
Style
Gallery label
Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905) Design for the Doncaster Race Cup. 1854 Inscribed Doncaster 1854 Pen and ink and wash By the 1840s the Regency tradition of figure sculpture on silver had developed to the point where it had become a form of silver statuary. The type was very much favoured for race prizes, each new sculpture being illustrated and described in the art journals of the day. In this design for the Doncaster Race Cup of 1855 the sculptor Armstead illustrates a scene from Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe; the piece was made by C.F. Hancock of Bruton Street. Armstead's other works included parts of the Albert Memorial. E.2053-1917 Given by Montague Pawson
Credit line
Given by Montague Pawson, Esq.
Subject depicted
Literary reference'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott
Summary
Gold or silver racing cups of elaborate form were given as prizes in the biggest horse races. Their designs became increasingly sculptural and naturalistic. They often depicted events in British history or episodes in historical novels that were linked to the locality of the racecourse.

This drawing is typical of the designs for silver that were produced in the 1850s. It was made by the sculptor Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905). The design illustrates a scene from Sir Walter Scott’s novel Ivanhoe (1819), set in the Yorkshire forest of Jervaulx Abbey (not that far from the Doncaster racecourse). The episode shows the Prior of Jervaulx restraining a Norman knight from striking the impertinent Saxons.
Collection
Accession number
E.2053-1917

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Record createdFebruary 17, 2003
Record URL
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